Reese Road To Close at 140

Md. 140, Reese Road crossover to close

By Beth Ward, Times Staff Writer

Starting as early as Monday, the crossover at Md. 140 and Reese Road will be closed permanently.

The expected impact on traffic from a planned development near Old Westminster Pike requires the closing of the crossover. The left turn lanes on Md. 140 will be removed and only right turns will be allowed onto Reese Road from Md. 140 and off Reese Road onto Md. 140, said Michael Cole, general superintendent of HTI Contractors. The company will be handling the construction.

With the closing, motorists will have to drive to the next available traffic signal to make a U-turn, said Chuck Gischlar, spokesman for the State Highway Administration.

Gischlar said the changes were needed to ensure the safety of the intersection.

A traffic study for the Fieldstone development formerly called Clearfield about a half-mile from the intersection of Old Westminster Pike and Reese Road found that traffic mitigation was needed, Gischlar said. The developer, Pulte Homes, will fund and construct the needed changes; however, SHA will supervise the project to ensure it is done to the required specifications, he said.

Joanie Prim, regional sales manager for the Mid-Atlantic region of Pulte Homes, said the company plans to build 43 homes at Fieldstone over the next few years.

Construction on the crossover is expected to start Monday, and the project should be completed in about four weeks if weather permits, Cole said.

The fire house for the Reese fire company is located at the intersection. However, officials said the closing of the crossover shouldn't affect the company's operations.

Cole said a concrete ramp will be constructed where the crossover is now to allow only emergency personnel to get through.

Reese Fire Chief Don Love said the fire company was consulted during the early planning stages to ensure that the closure wouldn't affect fire operations. Love said emergency personnel responding to calls will be able to use the crossover.

Love said the closing of the crossover may even help since the intersection will be less congested.

The fire company's annual carnival is scheduled for the week of July 14. In the past, the fire company has put up signs to encourage people to take alternate routes to the carnival grounds, which will continue this year.

"We are taking steps to put things in place to make sure the carnival will run smoothly," he said.

Reach staff writer Beth Ward at 410-751-5908 or beth.ward@carrollcountytimes.com.

Taken from 6/26/08 Issue of the Carroll County Times